Jaguars 2017 training camp: Takeaways from Day 2

After a grueling (but exciting) first day of training camp Thursday, the Jacksonville Jaguars returned to the field for Day 2 of their journey to success. And though it was another day where the heat was unforgiving, the team pushed through it to wrap up yet another solid practice.

Here are a few notes and highlights from Day 2 of practice:

1. Keenan Cole shines as Friday’s MVP

Just as Allen Robinson was Thursday, undrafted rookie wide receiver Keelan Cole was probably the most mentioned name of Friday. His connection with Brandon Allen is especially strong and he’s made several difficult catches in the first two days of camp.

Per Ryan O’Halloran, Cole had four catches during Friday’s session, and with the pads going on Saturday, it won’t be long until fans see what he’s really made of.

2. Blake Bortles’ work during the offseason seems to be translating

Though we won’t really know how much quarterback Blake Bortles has improved until the regular season, he’s been solid for the first two days of camp. Thursday, he and Allen Robinson linked up several times and showcased the same chemistry they had back in 2015.

At times, Bortles’ has struggled with ball location, yet, he hasn’t had any notable or catastrophic turnovers so far and has taken care of the football. He’s also linked up with Marqise Lee, Allen Hurns and Leonard Fournette for some nice passes and I’m sure fans won’t complain about his performance early in this process.

1. Bortles looks good today. Saw him miss on one corner route, which he struggled with yesterday, but has been $ on drags. Climbing pocket.

3. Top selections Leonard Fournette and Cam Robinson see snaps with the first-team

Thursday, Leonard Fournette took the field with the second-team behind Chris Ivory, but received the session’s first few snaps with the first-team on Friday. On top of that, Fournette shined as a receiver for the second consecutive day, further silencing those who had concerns about his hands coming out of the draft.

Meanwhile, Cam Robinson took more snaps with the first-team for the second consecutive day, while Branden Albert took snaps with the second-team. That said, fans shouldn’t look too much into which units the two are playing with for the time being as Doug Marrone told the media Thursday that he’s just simply trying to evaluate the two for now.

This list of players is pretty much how fans envisioned it would be for the Jags starting punt and kick returning roles. Reportedly, Cole received a few snaps as a kick returner, too, due to turning heads as a receiver on Days 1-2. As of now, nobody has distanced themselves from the pack and time will tell who special teams coach Joe DeCamillis sees as the front-runners for both roles.

Since 2015, Rashad Greene has technically held the role as the team’s starting punt return, but due to his battle with injuries, it appears the Jags will have a competition for the role. That said, he struggled when available in 2016 and muffed several punts in the process. Greene will likely need to earn his title back and fight off some of the newcomers at the position to make the final 53-man roster as the WR corps is very crowded at the bottom.

Injuries

There were no players who missed practice except for those on the physically unable to perform list in cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey, Aaron Colvin and fullback Marquez Williams.